How to replace a door gasket in a top-freezer refrigerator

This DIY repair guide shows you how to replace a refrigerator door gasket that presses into a groove around the edge of the door on a top-freezer refrigerator.

The door gasket, often called a door seal, seals the gap around the door to keep the cold air in and the warm air out. Signs that the refrigerator gasket needs to be replaced include excessive frost buildup and reduced cooling. Replace the gasket if it’s worn, cracked or torn.

This repair procedure works for replacing the refrigerator and freezer door gaskets in many Kenmore, Frigidaire, LG and Samsung refrigerators.

If you have a different type of refrigerator, check out these repair guides and videos:

• How to replace a door gasket in a French-door refrigerator

• How to replace a foamed-in-place door gasket in a side-by-side refrigerator

• How to replace a press-in door gasket in a side-by-side refrigerator

Instructions

1. Remove creases in the new door gasket

To smooth creases and folds in the door gasket, soak it in warm water and dry with a towel. Or carefully warm it with a hair dryer or heat gun on a low setting.

Be careful not to melt the gasket.

Heating some door gaskets causes them to expand. Allow the gasket to cool before installation if it seems too big for the door after heating.

2. Remove the refrigerator door gasket

First, turn off or unplug the refrigerator or shut off the circuit breaker for the refrigerator.

Pull the gasket out of the track. Starting at one of the corners is usually easiest. You may need to tug the gasket firmly to get the removal process started. If you have a difficult time starting at a corner, pull the gasket out starting in a spot halfway down the side of the door.

Once you get the removal process started, you should be able to pull the gasket out fairly easily.

3. Clean the track in the refrigerator door

Using a wet cloth, wipe any spills from inside and around the track.

Cleaning the track ensures that the new gasket fits easily in the track and seals the door properly.

4. Install the new gasket

Starting at the top of the door, work the new door gasket into the track. Work your way down both sides of the door and across the bottom. Check for loose spots and adjust the gasket as needed for a proper fit.

Spread a thin coat of petroleum jelly along the sealing surface of the door gasket to help the new gasket seal properly.

Close the door and check the fit. The door gasket should fit tightly against the cabinet and door with no gaps showing. Smooth out any creases that cause gaps. Push the door gasket further into the track to eliminate gaps.

Turn the refrigerator back on or restore power to the refrigerator.

Use the same procedure to replace the freezer door gasket.